Nairobi, February 11- Pakistan and Congo have been disqualified from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, regardless of their qualifying results. This follows FIFA’s decision to impose sanctions on both countries’ football federations due to governance issues.
FIFA’s Ruling on Governance Issues
In a statement issued on February 6, 2025, the Bureau of the FIFA Council announced the suspensions, citing severe governance failures within both associations.
Suspension of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT)
FIFA has suspended the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) with immediate effect due to external interference in its operations. The decision, made in consultation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), follows two joint FIFA-CAF missions to Brazzaville to assess the situation.
Conditions for Lifting Congo’s Suspension:
- Restoration of full control over FECOFOOT headquarters, the Ignié Technical Centre, and all football facilities.
- Reinstating the rightful signatories to FECOFOOT’s bank accounts as recognized by FIFA and CAF.
- Nullification of legal or administrative actions that enabled an ad hoc committee to intervene in FECOFOOT’s affairs.
- Guaranteeing FECOFOOT’s independence from external influence.
Suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)
Pakistan’s football federation (PFF) has also been suspended with immediate effect. FIFA cited the federation’s failure to amend its constitution to allow fair and democratic elections, a requirement under FIFA’s normalization process.
Conditions for Lifting Pakistan’s Suspension:
Pakistan’s ban will remain in effect until the PFF Congress formally adopts the FIFA-AFC-proposed constitution, aligning it with global football governance standards.
Consequences of the Suspensions
The ruling means both Congo and Pakistan are barred from all FIFA-sanctioned international competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This poses a major setback to their football development and international ambitions.
FIFA has not provided a timeline for lifting the suspensions, placing pressure on FECOFOOT and PFF to implement the required reforms swiftly.
As the situation unfolds, attention will turn to football authorities in both countries to see if they comply with FIFA’s directives and reclaim their place in global football.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will proceed without Pakistan and Congo.
